Radiology Laboratory

Radiology in the setting of a Medical Examiners Office is used
to detect radiodense foreign matter in the body such as bullets,
bullet jackets, surgical staples, pacemakers, orthopedic hardward and
dental restorations. Many of these items are forensic evidence and
are retrieved during the autopsy procedure.

Radiology is
also used in the identification process of persons who are decomposed,
burned, or in other ways not identified by traditional visual
methods. In these cases dental radiography plays a crucial role if
antemortem (before death) dental records can be obtained. If dental
information is unavailable, medical radiographs (x-rays) are sought
and the images are compared to radiographs taken at the Medical
Examiner's Office. These techniques are utilized on a regular basis
and become vitally important during a disaster where multiple
unidentified bodies must be processed.

The radiology
laboratory was designed to facilitate easy access to radiographic
equipment without the necessity to move the body from a gurney to a
table. State-of-the-art equipment includes a C-Arm Fluoroscope as well
as a fixed flat plate machine and dental radiographic equipment. The
dental equipment was upgraded to digital in 2007 and we expect to be
fully digital in the near future.

TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS

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